I am constantly reminded, living as a pedestrian and cyclist, that cars are destroying people, communities, and the planet. The post-war suburban mindset still rages strong, where few walk or bike to live, work, and play, despite formal attempts to redirect ourselves. The space between buildings becomes the imminent domain of combustion vehicles, with a tuft of grass or a shrub thrown in for good measure. We loose community networks as bikers and pedestrians cling to narrow paths. Markets are shoved onto parking lots from their historical central pedestrian plazas. I won’t even get into obese car drivers and global warming (sitting ducks).
BUT pedestrian promenades are popping up:
Boulder, CO: Pearl Street
Denver, CO: 16th St. Mall (with transit access)
Bikers take back streets, critical mass events:
Designers have weighed in on what the city without cars should look like. The question of cars in cities represents a coalition building point, where urban resdients, designers, environmentalists, and public health advocates can unite for positive change–i.e. walk/bike and keep yourself, your community, and your planet healthy. I’m lucky now to be living in Berkeley, a relatively walkable, bikeable city, but if one more car revvs its engine at the stop sign while I am crossing the street, I am not responsible for my actions.
